I purchased the SR-HD1500US to record satellite programming. I'm able to record the feed from the satellite receiver to the HDD. However I can find no way to set a timer to record future events. Is there a way to do this? Perhaps you might have suggestions for RS-232 control software I could use to set a timer schedule?

The SR-HD1500US does not have an internal programming capability for timer recording.

As
you suggested, it may be possible to control the device through RS232C
and command it to record to the HDD at specific times according to the
schedule provided by the programmer, using an external clock reference.
The internal clock is not accessible as a reference for program
timing.

All
the commands for RS232C control are available in the instruction
manual. JVC does not currently provide an application for external
control of the SR-HD1500US.